NUI Galway is to be presented with the Community & Social Responsibility Award by Irish Water Safety, the statutory body established to promote water safety in Ireland, later this month. This award is in recognition of the work of NUI Galway students, working with Irish Water Safety, as part of the Skills for Worklife Community Partner Programme.

In groups, students gained the chance to provide their expertise and knowledge to the community by working on a range of different projects alongside the direct involvement and guidance of each community partner. This year alone, 50 different community partners have been involved in the programme, with a total of 64 projects completed by 245 students who take this module.

Kieran Conboy, Head of NUI Galway’s J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, outlined the importance of this module, “The Skills for Worklife Community Partner Programme is an excellent opportunity for students to not alone apply skills and concepts learned in class and work alongside an established organisation within the community while encouraging real-life learning, but it also allows students to give back to society through their participation and development of the projects undertaken.”

Irish Water Safety was highly satisfied by the work carried out by the NUI Galway students which they were partnered with. Irish Water Safety’s Deputy CEO Roger Sweeney, praised the students, “We highly valued the contribution made and initiative shown by the students whom we were partnered with and this is evident in light of the programme being nominated for an award. Each student came up with some really great ideas which we fully intend to implement. The group were a great bunch of motivated individuals who worked very well as a team and are a wonderful reflection on NUI Galway. I will highly recommend the programme simply on foot of my dealings with this group.”

The award ceremony, hosted by Irish Water Safety, will take place on the 19th of November in Dublin Castle at which rescuers from 22 dramatic near-drowning incidents will receive recognition for their brave actions in saving 36 lives.